Packaging for components having flexible leads

ABSTRACT

Components such as fiber optic devices which have elongate, flexible leads subject to damage if kinked or otherwise mishandled are packaged in a container of molded plastic construction having a first recess in which the body portion of the component is retained and a second, circular recess in which the leads are wound. The bottom wall of the circular recess is provided with spaced holes through which a vacuum is drawn to advance the leads into this recess in the packaging process.

The present invention pertains to the packaging of components such asfiber optic devices which have elongate, flexible leads and, moreparticularly, to packaging arrangements in which such leads areefficiently placed and retained in an orderly array.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of electronic and fiber optic components include a body portionand elongate, flexible leads extending therefrom. In the packaging ofsuch components it is necessary to contain the leads in an orderlymanner to prevent damage to the leads. Fiber optic leads, in particular,must be packaged in a way which avoids the formation of sharp bends orkinks in the leads and which avoids tangling of the leads. Manualpackaging of such components, while potentially effective in preventingdamage to the component leads, is an added expense.

The requirement that the component leads be arranged without sharp bendsor kinks necessitates the use of a relatively large size container,particularly when the leads are of substantial length. This, again,represents an expense, both in terms of packaging material and in spacerequirements in storage and shipping of the packaged components.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide for thepackaging of components having elongate, flexible leads in a mannerwhich maintains the leads in an orderly and undamaged configuration.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide packaging forsuch components which utilizes a relatively compact container.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such packagingwhich permits the use of automated packaging techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above and other objects of the invention which will become apparenthereinafter are achieved by the provision of a container for packaging afiber optic or other component of the type having a body portion andelongate, flexible leads extending therefrom which container is ofmolded plastic construction and includes cover and base panels connectedby an integral hinge, the base panel having a first recess for retainingthe body portion of the component, a second, annular recess adjacent thefirst recess for receiving the component leads, and third recessesinterconnecting the first and second recesses along smoothly curvingpaths. The bottom wall of the annular recess is provided with spacedholes which are brought sequentially into communication with a vacuumsource to draw the free ends of the leads into the annular recess,thereby coiling the leads around the inner wall of this recess. Firstand second annular flanges secured adjacent the radially outer and innersides of the annular recess, respectively, together form a covertherefor.

For a more complete understanding of the invention and the objects andadvantages thereof, reference should be had to the accompanying drawingsand the following detailed description wherein a preferred embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated and described.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fiber optic component;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the container of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are transverse cross sectional views taken on the lines3--3 and 4--4. respectively, of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are fragmentary transverse cross sectional views taken onthe lines 5--5 and 6--6, respectively, of FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are schematic showings of the sequence of stepsperformed in packaging of a component in the container of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A typical fiber optic component 10 includes, as is shown in FIG. 1, abody portion 12 in which are housed the active elements of the componentand a plurality of elongate, flexible leads 14 and 16 extending from thebody portion for connection with other components and circuits. As hasbeen mentioned above, these leads, which are filaments of glass or otherlight conducting material, are relatively fragile and subject to damageif kinked or otherwise roughly handled.

The container of the present invention used in packaging the fiber opticcomponent, or a similar electronic component, is illustrated in FIGS. 2through 6. The package is, preferrably, of vacuum thermoformed plasticconstruction and includes a base panel 20 and a id panel 22 which arejoined by an integral hinge 24. An upwardly projecting ridge 26 extendsalong the three sides of the base panel remote from the hinge with acomplementary groove 28 being provided in the lid panel, the ridge andgroove forming a friction fit closure for the package.

A first recess 30 in the base panel is configured to receive the bodyportion 12 of the fiber optic device, the length and width of the recessbeing substantially equal to those of the device so as to provide a snapfit retaining the device therein with the depth of the recess from theprincipal surface 32 of the base panel being approximately equal to thethickness of the device. One or more second recesses 34 extend outwardlyfrom opposite sides of the recess 30 at locations corresponding to thepoints at which the leads 14, 16 exit from the device body portion 12and are of sufficient depth as to receive the leads. Adjacent to thefirst recess is a third, circular recess 36 the bottom wall 38 of whichis provided with holes 40 uniformly spaced therearouund. The depth ofthe recess 36 is greater than that of the first recess and the arcuatebottom wall 38 is of sufficient flexibility as to allow upward movementof the inner wall 42 of the recess 36. Concentrically surrounding thecircular recess 36 is a fourth, also circular recess 44 spaced radiallyoutwardly therefrom so as to provide a circular, upwardly projectingridge 46 at the circumference of the recess 36. The recess 44 and ridge46 serve to locate and retain a ring 48 having outer and inner flanges50 and 52, respectively, joined by a midportion 54 of complementaryconfiguration to the ridge 46, the outer flange 50 being received in therecess 44 and the inner flange 52 overlying the radially outward half ofthe circular recess 36. A circular p)ate 56 is attached to the centralwall portion 58 defined by the recess 36, the plate being concentricwith the recess 36 and of such diameter as to project outwardly,providing a flange 57 overlying the radially inner half of the recess 36thus forming, with the flange 50, a cover for this recess. The ring 48and plate 56 are secured to the base panel 22, preferrably being heatsealed thereto. Extensions 60 of the second, lead receiving recesses 34connect these recesses to the circular recess 36 along smoothly curvingpaths which extend tangentially into the recess 36, the ridge 46 of thebase plate and the midportion 54 of ring 48 being interrupted, asindicated by the numeral 62, at the juncture of the extensions 60 andthe circular recess 36.

The fiber optic device may be packaged manually or automatically. Manualpackaging involves inserting the component body portion 12 into thefirst recess 20, raising the center portion of the base panel toseparate the plate 56 from the flange 52 thus providing access to theinner wall 42 of the recess 36 and coiling the leads 14 and 16 aboutthis wall.

The sequence of steps in the automated packaging a flexible leadcomponent in the container of the present invention is shownschematically in FIGS. 7-9. The body portion 12 of the component isfirst snapped into the recess 30 with the leads 14, 16 extendingoutwardly through the recesses 34. The free ends of the first set ofleads 14 are then placed at the juncture of the flange 52 and plate 56overlying the recess 36 and in alignment with the recess extensions 60,passing through the gap 62. The container is positioned on a supportsurface having a vacuum port 64 with the bottom surface of the containerbase panel in contact with the surface and the vacuum port 64 incommunication with the one of the holes 40 adjacent the entry gap 62. Asthe base panel 20 is pressed onto the support surface, the inner wall 42of the circular recess 36 and the plate 56 move upwardly by a shortdistance relative to the remainder of the base panel, creating anannular opening between the plate 56 and the flange 52. A vacuum isdrawn through the port 64 to draw the free ends of the leads 14 into thecircular recess. By relative rotation of the container relative to thevacuum port, as indicated by the arrow 66, successive ones of the holes40 are brought into communication with the vacuum port thus advancingthe leads 14 into the recess 36 and winding them about the inner wall42. When the leads 14 have been drawn fully into the recess, as shown inFIG. 9, the process is repeated with the second set of leads 16, theseleads being wound in the opposite direction about the wall 42.Thereafter, the lid panel 20 is closed onto the base panel 22,completing the packaging operation.

The present invention provides for the packaging of flexible leadcomponents in an efficient and compact manner. The recesses 34 andrecess extensions 60 offer smooth transitions for the leads between thecomponent body retaining recess 30 and the circular recess 36 in whichthe principal lengths of the leads are stored in an orderly fashion.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed in detail, it will be apparent that changes and additions maybe had therein and thereto without departing for the spirit of theinvention. Reference should, accordingly, be had to the appended claimsin determining the true scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A container for a component having a body portion andelongate flexible leads extending therefrom comprising:a base panelhaving a first recess configured to receive the body portion of thecomponent, a second recess, and a third, circular recess adjacent saidfirst recess, said third recess having side walls of greater depth thanthe remainder of said base panel and a bottom wall of sufficientflexibility as to permit upward movement of the inner one of said sidewalls, said bottom wall being provided with holes at spaced intervalstherearound, said second recess extending from said first recess along acurving path meeting said third recess tangentially, said second andthird recesses being configured to receive the leads of the component inan orderly fashion; a first flange attached to said base panel andprojecting radially inwardly over the outer portion of said thirdrecess; a second annular flange attached to said base panel andprojecting radially outwardly over the inner portion of said thirdrecess to form, with said first flange, a cover for said third recess;and a cover panel formed integrally with said base panel and connectedthereto by an integral hinge.
 2. The container of claim 1 wherein saidbase and cover panels are of unitary molded plastic construction.
 3. Thecontainer of claim 1 further including an upwardly projecting annularridge concentric with and radially outwardly of said third recess, saidridge being interrupted at said second recess and said first flangehaving a groove of complementary configuration to said ridge to therebylocate said first flange.
 4. The container of claim 3 wherein said baseand cover panels are of unitary molded plastic construction.
 5. Acontainer for a component having a body portion and elongate flexibleleads extending therefrom comprising:a base panel having a first recessconfigured to receive the body portion of the component, a secondrecess, and a third, circular recess adjacent said first recess, saidthird recess having a bottom wall provided with holes at spacedintervals therearound, said second recess extending from said firstrecess along a curving path meeting said third recess tangentially, saidsecond and third recesses being configured to receive the leads of thecomponent in an orderly fashion; a first flange attached to said basepanel and projecting radially inwardly over the outer portion of saidthird recess; a second annular flange attached to said base panel andprojecting radially outwardly over the inner portion of said thirdrecess to form, with said first flange, a cover for said third recess;and a cover panel formed integrally with said base panel and connectedthereto by an integral hinge.
 6. The container of claim 5 wherein saidbase and cover panels are of unitary molded plastic construction.